My question involves criminal law for the state of: Illinois
Recently in macys I had thrown a purse over my shoulder and continued shopping. When I had decided against the items I had I hung them on a rack and headed toward the door. Only then did I realize that I still had the purse on my shoulder and turned to go back when two men grabbed me and told me I was under arrests for shoplifting. I hadn't even walked out the doors and they were grabbin me yelling calling me names and making me look awful. They had me in the room for a few hours and finally they said they would forget all of it for $500. When they called to cancel an officer coming out it was to late. After the officer viewed the tape she stated that she did not feel as though I was trying to take the purse and so she wrote me a ticket. Something the city will do to cancel out the charge of theft. Anyhow she wanted to search through all of my personal items and that was fine being I have nothing to hide. I always keep my mess with me in a little pill dish and when she came across that things changed. I told them that they were all prescribed and she didn't believe me because I didn't have any proof of script with me. I told her what the pills were and what I take them for but after I said Vicodin, she did a complete 360 and said she didn't believe me. The ticket she wrote me she said was no longer an option and she thinks that I was trying to steal so I could sell the purse to buy more Vicodin. They then arrested me for retail theft and possession of controlled substance. I sat in jail overnight and when I went before the judge he read my charges as only retail theft. They must have contacted dr. Or something because for over 8 hr I thought I was being charged for theft and drugs that were in all reality legal for me to have. Now I am stuck with this charge of theft and didn't even do that. The worst thing is the only reason she chose to charge me with that. Is because she probably assumed she was getting me for more charges than a lil misdemeanor. Anyhow I am now stuck with this charge and will be coming up on court....what options if any do I have? What route should I take. I am so scared and hurt as well as humiliated. Any advice or any tips you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
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Also I recieved a bill in the mail today from macys wanting me to pay them the $500 they wanted me to pay in the beginning. What is that all about???

